North Central High School Distinguished Alumnus

George W. Lotzenhiser

Class of 1941Inducted 2014

During
his student years at North Central from 1937-41, George Lotzenhiser majored in
music. In addition to playing trombone in the school band and in the orchestra,
he was student leader of the Pep Band and Derby Band. During his freshman year
in 1938, he earned his Boy Scouts “Eagle Scout” award. He was also a member of
the N.C. Cross Country Team for four years.

After
graduating from N.C., Lotzenhiser attended Eastern Washington College on its
first ever trombone music scholarship. His education plans were interrupted
when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. After World War II, he returned to
Eastern to complete his studies. As student body president, he helped petition
the state legislature to allow Eastern to issue Liberal Arts Degrees. As a
senior in 1947, Lotzenhiser wrote the words and music for “All Hail to Eastern
Washington,” which became, and still is, the school’s Alma Mater.

After
graduating from EWU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music, he went on to earn
a master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan and a doctoral
degree in education/music from the University of Oregon. He served on the
faculty and as marching band director at the University of Arizona in the late
1950s. During this time, he travelled to Chicago to receive the “Boys Scouts of
America Distinguished Eagle Scout” award.

In 1960
Lotzenhiser returned to EWU as a professor of music. He oversaw the creation of
the university’s first School of Fine Arts, serving as its first Dean until his
retirement in 1983.

In
addition to his career in higher education, Lotzenhiser had a distinguished
career in the U.S. Navy. He served on active duty in the Naval Reserves in
World War II and in the Korean Conflict. Promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral
in 1977, he retired with that rank in 1983, after a 40-year active duty and
reserve career.

A
published composer and accomplished musical director, George Lotzenhiser
remained active in retirement. He traveled often around the country to act as
guest director at musical events, including EWU’s Military Ball in 2013.